My mother collected quite a few pieces of linen, some beautifully embroidered or embellished. Many women of her era had a great love of linens, and I think that some of these must have been handed down from her mother. These are a few that I especially love.
I think the first one must be a guest towel, although I can't imagine ever using it, it's so delicate. If I ever put in our bathroom, I'd be afraid my kids would ruin it.
The second piece is a small tablecloth, I think. I'm dismally ignorant when it comes to recognizing different types of needlework, so I've no clue what this is called. Anybody care to enlighten me?
The last piece just makes me smile. I do love birds -- you saw my covered dishes with little bird handles recently. In my kitchen there are bird prints and plates, eggs, nests, and a beautiful bird's nest painting done by the lovely Donna, of Donna's Art. This little hand towel, with it's cheerful bird appliques, will fit right in.
I like to pick up little embroidered or embellished linens when I see them at the thrift store. That someone took the time to make them, and lovingly care for them...well, it just speaks to me. Yes, I'm just a big old mother hen, taking in every stray tea cup and napkin that crosses my path! :)
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It's timely for me that you mentioned linens. My husband's 100 yr. olf grandmother passed away last month. He was her caregiver, and thus, we have inherited many, many old linens. I think too, that some were her mothers! I will post a pic of a few. Yours are beautiful. Please indicate what you will do with them. I also have her vintage hankies, and am using mine as doilies.
ReplyDeleteI think that so many women love the handmade, and hand embellished linens of the past because we recognize how much time and love went into them, and because we just dont seem to have the time to embellish our own it makes them even more precious. Thank you for sharing your favorites. I Think I may share some of mine too:>)
ReplyDeleteSome of the old linens are beautiful. You can just imagine the lady sitting there embroidering her special piece.
ReplyDeleteAlison
They are fabulous Mary. I love the last piece with the bird, especially. I can't imagine actually using them, though....just too special! :-) Rosie
ReplyDeleteI too have to give a home to every handmade piece of linen I come across that has been lovingly made and is being sold too cheaply. I wonder what was going on in the woman's life and what the linens would say if they could tell a story. It is a lost art.
ReplyDeleteRhondi xo
I love old linens...your's are simply lovely!!
ReplyDeleteLinda
xoxo
Old linens are just beautiful! I always wonder who stitched them and what was going on in their lives while they worked on that piece. So enjoyed visiting.Blessings, Kathleen
ReplyDeleteBeautiful old linens Mary. My mother did a lot of emproidery and I love the pieces she did.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Donna
Oops, mispelled embroidery. Just HAD to correct that!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Donna
I have an eclectic collection of "tea towels" from my one grandmother, and hankies from the other grandmother. Love them all.
ReplyDeleteThat first item with the emboridered basket is sooo lovely! It reminds me of silk ribbon embroidery I used to do--and ought to pick up again! I just love linens--new and old, but especially old. I just love old things in generan, and love to think of the stories behind them all...You have some lovely linens to go with all your lovely china...I love to come here and bask in beauty. Happy Day, Mary ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteUgh - going thru the linen stack at the antique store. I always give it a try until all the festering mold starts flying up in my face and I see the food stains and the yellow age spots and then I give up. Sorry - not tough enough for old linen.
ReplyDeleteI love linens as well. My grandmother (who is now 104) used to crochet and embroidery all the time when she was able. This is where I got my love of all linens and crocheting as well.
ReplyDeleteI think the first linen with the embroidered basket may be a splasher, which was hung on a washstand behind the washing bowl to prevent splashes on the wall.
ReplyDeleteThe smaller tablecloth may well have been used on a bridge table or a tea table for afternoon tea.
This could be all wrong, just my two cents...they're all lovely, Mary!
They are all beautiful, but the little bird is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI have a set of hand towels in my kitchen that I'll have to show one day.
Thanks for sharing with us, Mary
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIf our thrift stores had anything remotely this beautiful I would be rescuing them too!
Have a blessed day!
I'm glad that you finally brought up linens Mary. There's nothing like vintage linens. I don't believe they even make some of the beautiful fabrics anymore. And how many young women are taught the fine art of embroidery anymore? I know my daughter wouldn't sit still for it. Thanks for the peek at some wonderful treasures!
ReplyDelete- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife
Just lovely, my mother's Aunt used to make them...when I was a little girl she made some pillowcases for my sister and I...they were bunnies surrounded with flowers. I always had sweet dreams when I had my bunny pillowcase on...thanks for the memory :)
ReplyDeleteKathy :)
Simply beautiful Mary! I have a table runner that has ribbon embroidery on it and I LOVE it. With four little ones still in the house I don't dare even look at many old linens yet, but I understand why you love them so much. They are so lovely and delicate and feminine looking.
ReplyDeletewowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!
ReplyDeleteadoro i ricami!!
baci mary
Hi - found your blog from Country Girl's. Love your photos! My grandmothers and my husband's all had and did lots of needlework - I treasure the pieces that have some to me from them. I can even do some of it myself, but it has been awhile since I have worked on any of it. I will be back to check out your blog some more!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love old linens. I prefer the ones from the 40's and 50's that are very colorful. Apparently I'm not the only one who likes them as they're hard to find for a reasonable price.
ReplyDeleteI believe the tablecloth is embroidered in a chain stitch. I could be wrong but this is my best guess from the photo.
How lovely Mary! We love vintage linens... have some family heirlooms ourselves, along with some collected pieces! The second one is what I believe our Grandmother called candlewicking. Not positive on that though!
ReplyDeleteKarrie & Karla
Hi Mary! The linens are beautiful and can you imagine the person lovingly doing all that work? My great-Grandmother used to fine crochet little designs to the edges of her pillow cases and the hems of the bed coverlets. I have one stored away somewhere and you have inspired me to dig it out. Sadly, my grandmother never learned that fine art from her mother..wish she had so she could have taught us Granddaughters! But just to sit there and add that little touch to dress up some plain linens makes me think I must have gotten my love of decorating from her! :) Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI am also a collector of linens...they are so much prettier than modern linens.
ReplyDeleteI think there are many of us out there who are collectors of these little treasures.
Tiffany
Beautiful! I have drawers of these pieces also. Over the years, I've mounted and framed some, actually used the antimacassars on chairs from time to time, and have an ever-changing array of dresser scarves and embroidered pillowcases.
ReplyDeleteSuch patience, such artistry.
BTW, that second piece looks to me like chain stitch embroidery.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to find your blog. How lovely the embroidery is. I have a real "thing" for vintage hand embroidery too..and a lot of my own work is old enough to be called vintage. LOL (found my high school yearbook in an antique store last week..talk about low blow to the ego!) Anyway, I loved looking at your linens. They are certainly a treasure.
ReplyDeleteThese are so lovely. I love how special you present everything on your blog. You really have a touch with photography and presentation. I love the one with the little bird. Karen
ReplyDeleteYour Mother's linens are so beautiful, Mary! The needlework is so pretty and delicate ... what pride of workmanship went into making them. They are truly treasures.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Pat
Good morning Mary :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful linens! I couldn't possibly pick a favorite because there is such beautiful work on all of them :)
xo,
rue
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteI am catching up on my "reading" after my trip. I'm trying to find the ambition to go thru all my pix and put them in some logical ( or not) order and put some posts together. I love the linens. The first one seems to be a popular pattern as I have one similar; I think the middle is chain stitch, almost like a white on white crewel. Okay, need to get something put together for my adoring audience, LOL.
Janet
How can you not love old linens. My grandmothers and my mother crocheted and emboidered and I am so thankful that they taught me and I also taught my daughter when she was young. I hope someday she will cherish the family linens (ours and others) as much as I do.
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